A cause of death wasnt given, nor did a family statement say where he died. This is probably my favorite Bill Russell highlight that I can think of. The couple divorced in 1973. He had such curiosity about human nature, about psychology, Branch said. In 2010 Russell received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the countrys highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama. Even against more physically imposing centers, like .css-47aoac{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#A00000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-47aoac:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}Wilt Chamberlain, Russell was a defensive and rebounding force. He was 88. Have something to tell us about this article? During his college years, Bill competed in many sports besides basketball, including the high jump. Their marriage lasted until her death in 2009. At the international level, he had captained the United States to the Gold medal at the 1956 Summer Olympics. Russell knew that he had won, but he wanted to win over Chamberlain, and did not. Due to malnutrition as a child, Russell was a lightweight player but built an exclusive manner of play as a centre to help the defence. Russell was married to his college girlfriend Rose Swisher from 1956 to 1973, they had three children but then grew apart and divorced in 1977. In 1979, Russell teamed up with professional writers to publish the Second Wind book and also featured in a 1986 movie named The fix as Judge Ferguson. Why this film and why now? But the thing that Bill Russell was always focused on as a player was being a member of the Celtic family. So I think he wasn't just - he wasn't as vocal and he didn't have as much exposure as they did. Russell's daughter, Karen, is a legal and political analyst, as well as a blogger. Bill was named an NBA All-Star 12 times (19581969), the NBA MVP 5 times (1958, 19611963, 1965), and the NBA All-Star Game MVP in 1963. All rights reserved. But they didn't love him. Bill Russells family announced his demise through a statement on Sunday, July 31. Bill passed away with Jeannine by his side. She's also provided commentary on the high-profile cases of NBA players like Kobe Bryant and Jayson Williams. After his retirement, he served as head coach of the Seattle SuperSonics (197377) and the Sacramento Kings (198788), served as a commentator on television broadcasts of NBA games, and continued to remain active in social causes. Bill Russell, byname of William Felton Russell, (born February 12, 1934, Monroe, Louisiana, U.S.died July 31, 2022), American basketball player who was the first outstanding defensive centre in the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and one of the sports greatest icons. That day changed my whole attitude about she says I dont want you to ever pick a fight, but always finish the fight youre in. Five times he was named the NBAs Most Valuable Player, and his 21,620 rebounds are second only to Chamberlains career mark. But the thing that Bill Russell was always focused on as a player was being a member of the Celtic family. Remembering Just Fontaine and His World Cup Record, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, Name: Bill Russell, Birth Year: 1934, Birth date: February 12, 1934, Birth State: Louisiana, Birth City: Monroe, Birth Country: United States. She has had many amazing accomplishments in her life. Bill Russell, the great Boston Celtics center who died last summer at the age of 88, cuts a singular figure in the American sports firmament. "Here is a Black man from Oakland, surrounded by Black people most of his life," Pollard said. MARTIN: That was award-winning director Sam Pollard. His family said on social media that Russell died on Sunday, July 31, 2022. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the San Diego Union-Tribune. In 13 seasons, Russell won 11 NBA championships (1957, 195966, and 196869). Bill Russell attended the University of San-Francisco and played on the school team presumably due to his height advantage. NBA legend Bill Russell passed away at the age of 88. When he later became a standout college player at USF, Russell recalled how he and his few fellow black teammates were jeered by white students. He helped start the National Basketball Players Association. Without Chamberlain and an injured Jerry West, it was not enough to defeat the Celtics, who won by only two points.Russell later said Chamberlain was week, and should have demanded to go back into the game. Featured Image by Bill Russell / Instagram. It seems weird that there hasn't been this kind of full feature-length treatment until now, given the impact that he had. Go back to Africa, you baboon. Bill Russell's selection to the Basketball Hall of Fame for his coaching career was announced on May 16, 2021. Never turned the trash cans over again.. POLLARD: Well, I was approached by Ross Greenberg, who used to be the president of HBO Sports, about two years ago to get involved with the film as a director. If you have concerns about something that doesnt look right in this Bill Russell Biography Facts, Childhood, Net Worth, Life, please dont hesitate to contact us. This site uses cookies to serve you better. But he was a very, you know, well-rounded human being who believed that it was not only a responsibility as a player, but the responsibility of an African American man. In the History of professional sports there has never been an athlete who has more accolades or championships, in other words Bill Russell was not only a champion, but he was perhaps the definition of a champion. His early childhood was shaped by poor health, as the sickly Russell battled several different illnesses. In college, the 6-foot 9-inch (2.06-metre) Russell blossomed, providing a defensive presence that helped lead USF to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championships in 1955 and 1956. POLLARD: My pleasure, Michel. The Celtics legend had four wives during his life, and is now the focus of a Netflix documentary called Bill Russell: Legend. From boycotting a 1961 exhibition game to unmask too-long-tolerated discrimination, to leading Mississippis first integrated basketball camp in the combustible wake of Medgar Evans assassination, to decades of activism ultimately recognized by his receipt of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010.. His He was represented by Russell Spielman, Manager and Booking Agent, GSE Worldwide, Melville, Long Island, New York, United States. WebAbout Bill Russell Composer William "Bill" Russell (February 26, 1905 August 9, 1992) was an American music historian and modernist composer. I was the only Negro athlete on either team. Bill Russell Wife, Children. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. Bill Russell is survived by three children: Jacob, William Russell Jr, and Karen. She is reportedly a legal and political analyst who graduated from Georgetown University and Harvard Law School. And one of them slapped me as they went by. WebBill Russell was born in Monroe, Louisiana in 1934, to Katie and Charlie Louis Russell. Throughout his career, Bill Russell won 11 NBA championship rings. Bill Russell, the greatest defensive player of all time, has a special place in the NBAs Hall of Fame. This unlikely superstar came into the NBA as a center for the Boston Celtics and played for the team for his entire 13 years of career. MVP All-Star Game (1963) after 19 points and 24 rebounds. But we learned that, you know, he had a very interesting life and complicated life off the court. Attended McClymonds High School in Oakland, California, Inducted into the ESPN Boston Hall of Fame in 2011 (inaugural class) with. [December 2003]. The NBA legend was 88 years old at the time of his death. Yet in a sport that traditionally celebrates scoring and offensive heroics, Russell was an anomaly: a dominant player for whom making shots was truly secondary. All 5 of them, 1 at a time. The cemetery is also the final resting place of martial arts action star Bruce Lee and his son Brandon Lee. Bill Russells Mom Changed His Life Forever By Making Him Fight 5 Guys In The Projects To Learn A Lesson. Off the court, he was a force in the fight for human At SportyTell.com, we strive for fairness and accuracy. He recorded a mean score of 20.7 points and 20.3 rebounds per game. Russell was married three times. With Russell anchoring the middle of the floor, the Celtics finished with the NBA's best record in 1957, and went on to win the title over the Hawks in a tense seven-game series. Like almost all Southern towns and cities of that time, Monroe was very segregated and the Russells often struggled with racism in Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information. He married Rose Swisher, his college sweetheart, in 1956. Even as he won on the court, Russell, an outspoken backer of the Civil Rights Movement, experienced his struggles off of it. Although Bill Russell played less than 50 games, due to the fact he has won a gold medal for basketball in the Olympics, in his first NBA season he definitely made his presence felt. In 2013, Boston erected a significant statue of their legend, Bill Russell right outside the Boston City Hall Plaza. The couple married in 2018 when Russell was 84. And he learned basketball when he went to Oakland. It was a breakthrough that would change not only his life but, in the long term, basketball itself. The term Dynasty might have never applied to Basketball had it not been for Bill Russell. Athletically awkward at first, Russell struggled to find playing time on the team at McClymonds High School in Oakland. Bill Russell has been married on 4 different occasions but had never kept a marriage for up to 2 decades, the longest being 17 years (19561973) to a lady called Rose. During his 13-year NBA career, Russell led the Boston Celtics to 11 championships - two as a player coach. But the Celtics kept winning, and he remained the engine that made them go. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. While Charlie found good work, in 1946 his wife, Katie, became quite sick with the flu and died. He was also included in the All-NBA First Team thrice (1959, 1963, 1965), the All-NBA Second Team 8 times (1958, 19601962, 1964, 19661968), and the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 1969. The Celtics then lost to Los Angeles in the Forum in Game 5, and the Celtics returned to the Boston Garden in game 6 and won that contest. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Bill Russells daughter, Karen, was born in 1962. (SOUNDBITE OF DOCUMENTARY, "BILL RUSSELL: LEGEND"). It is a truly staggering rate of success, one that no other NBA player has come close to approaching. Thats the lesson. Bill Russel biography facts, childhood, net worth and personal life present a complete rundown of the profile, career and life from childhood to date, of the 12-time All-Star and 5-time NBA MVP. Are you kidding? 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